“Pray 24 hours, it won’t change anything,” Wike vows not to succumb to blackmail

By Angela Atabo

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has stressed that he would not be intimidated into paying claims for contracts that were never legitimately awarded.

Wike said this in reaction to protests by some contractors protesting over alleged failure to pay them for work done by the FCT administration.

The Minister who spoke during the Inauguration of Phase2 water project, on Tuesday in Abuja, however, said the protests were sponsored and were meant to blackmail him.

The Minister also declared that he did not award contract to any of those protesting.

He said the so-called debts were generated by civil servants who sat in their offices awarding contracts of N10 million N15 million, or N20 million without ministerial approval.

Wike also said the protests would not distract him from delivering development to the people of Abuja.

“Let anybody who says I awarded them contracts bring the documents.

“Many of the so-called debts were generated by civil servants who sat in their offices awarding contracts of N10 million N15 million, or N20 million without ministerial approval.

“Now they want to blackmail the Minister into paying. Certainly, that will not happen. Nobody can intimidate me.

“This is corruption fighting back against my reforms, but I will defeat it,”he said.

Wike said that under his leadership, funds were being channeled into meaningful capital projects that impact the lives of residents, not frivolous recurrent expenses.

He disclosed that before his administration came on board, the FCT’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) stood at about N9 billion monthly, but has now risen to over N30 billion.

“If we were not prudent, how we have been able to fund the massive infrastructure we are commissioning today? Those protesting are not genuine contractors.

“Look at their faces, do they look like those who built the roads we are commissioning? They were sponsored by those who benefitted from past corruption,” Wike said.

The minister added that Abuja’s abandoned projects were a result of funds being diverted into unnecessary expenses like frequent foreign trips and inflated procurement of items such as computers.

“This is not a beauty contest. I am not here to be loved. I am here to work. Carry your love and go, I want results.

“The only love I want is for residents to feel the impact of governance: roads, schools, hospitals, water, and security. That is development,” he said.

Wike further recalled his past experiences in public service, emphasising that he has never allowed vested interests or power brokers to control him.

“From my days as a council chairman till now, I have never allowed anyone to dictate to me.

“Pray 24 hours, it won’t change anything. What is right will be done, and what is wrong will not pass. Abuja must change, and we will change it,” he insisted.

Wike affirmed that, by the time he leaves office, history would record his administration as one that restored discipline, blocked waste, and redirected resources into tangible development for the Federal Capital Territory.

While inaugurating the newly rehabilitated N50 billion phase 2 water treatment plant at the Lower Usuma Dam in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council, Wike revealed that President Tinubu also approved the flag-off of additional water projects in satellite towns.

He said that the government would commence the Bwari water project on Wednesday, while the Karu water supply project would be flagged off on Thursday.

He said that both initiatives were estimated to cost not less than ₦90 billion.

“The phase 2 rehabilitation awarded in 2022 at a cost of about ₦50 billion, was completed in line with the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises water as an essential service.

“The project will significantly expand the dam’s carrying capacity and boost water supply to Abuja residents.

“Some people have accused us of concentrating only on roads, but beyond roads, we are also focusing on basic infrastructure like water supply.

“Water is life, and this administration is committed to ensuring residents enjoy this essential service,” he said.

Wike revealed that the Phase one ,three, and four of the Lower Usuma Dam project have already been awarded by the Federal Executive Council.

WIke said the move would further enhance water distribution across the territory.

He added that agreements signed with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) during Tinubu’s visit to China in 2023, was also geared towards ensuring satellite towns benefit from reliable water supply.

He highlighted the administration’s achievements in education, noting that many schools have been completed, renovated, or are currently undergoing construction across the FCT.

The minister directed the Secretary of Education to make public the comprehensive list of completed and ongoing school projects, and to take the media on inspection tours of rural schools to showcase the government’s commitment.

“This administration is not only developing the city centre but is also taking infrastructure to the satellite towns. Our goal is to make life easier for all residents of the FCT,” Wike said.

Also Speaking, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, commended Tinubu for his unwavering support toward infrastructural renewal and for prioritising critical projects that directly impact the lives of ordinary citizens.

Mahmoud urged residents to rededicate themselves to the proper management and sustainability of the water treatment plant, ensuring that generations yet unborn would continue to benefit from the vital infrastructure.
(NAN)